Pressure regulator



Jan.7,1936. G.W.'MCKEE 2,026,793

' PRESSURE REGULATOR led Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 7, 1936. G. w. MKEE 2,026,793

, PRESSURE REGULATOR f Filed oct. 12, 1954 l Egg m /7 @225% 'i Patented Jam-71,1936 j l i I i i' l y.

UNITED STATES i PATENT YOFFICE 2,026,793- PRESSURE nEGULA'roa Garnet w. McKee, Rockford, nl. Application october 12, 1934, serial Ncnzlaoso "7 claims. (ci. 50-26) The present invention relates .generally to presness and lower cost of manufacture as compared sure regulators. More particularly .theinven Vwith valves -of previously designed regulatorstion ,relates to that type of regulator which is and is hung in a novel manner from the lever. designed primarily for use in a system for sup- A still further object of the invention is to progas-burning'appliances, serves to maintain sulo-V tends through a. slot in the top portion o! the stantial uniformity of pressure of the gas in thel valveand is of such thinnessthat it'exposesbut aV usual piping between it and the appliances -resmallsurface to the upfiow or gas in the casing gardless of the rate of now' of the gas and inand thus causes a minimum amount of resist- I lo cludes as the essential or main parts thereof: anceto the gas as the latter ows to the outlet 1`0 (l) an elongated, horizontally extending, casin the easing. t

ing which comprises a lower part having a gas Other objects of the invention and the various chamber therein and embodying at one of its ends advantages and characteristics of the Present an inlet for the gas and a gas outlet labove and pressure regulator will be apparent from e 00nvl in registry with the inlet, and also comprises an Sideration of the following detailed description. ll

upper part over the other end of the lower part; The invention consists in the several novel (2) a, diaphragm which is clamped between the features Wlflih are hereinafter SetOlth and are upper and lower parts of the casing and. isV remore Particularly dened by claims, at the consponsive to iluctuations in'the pressure of' the o1uS10I1 hereof. y

gas in thechalnber; (3) a horizontal lever .which In the drawings Which aooompuny and form 8 20 extends lengthwise of and is centrally fulcrumed Part 0f this Specification or disclosure and in in the gas chamber and is operatively connected Whioh like numerals of reference denote correat one end thereof to the diaphragm; and (51) a Spondihg parte throughout the several views: valve which' is mounted on the other end of the Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of a.

`lever for limited universal movement and op- Pressure regulator embodying the invention;v 25 erates in response to fluctuation orV action ofthe lFigure 2 is a vertical transverse section on the diaphragm to control the flow of gas through the 11110 2-2 of Figure 1; inlet into the casing so as tol maintain the gas "as Figure 3 1S e- PelSpeotive of the lever of the it passes through the outlet at the pressure for regulator:` l

' which the regulator vis set. n Figure t is a vpers ctive Vof the valve; 30

one object of the invention is to provide a Figure 51s n top View of thevalve: pressure regulator of this type which is an im- -Figures `6 and 'l are vertical transverse sec.. provement upon previously designed regulators t1011211 VleWS 0f the Valve taken et Tight angles to of the same general type and for the same pur- 011e another;

plying gas to different household or industrial vide a pressure regulator in which the lever ex 5 pose by reason or the factA that the valve thereof Figures 3, 9, 10, 11,112 and 13 `are-side views of 35l i is so shaped and constructedthat the gas enterdifferent forms of valves Which may be used in ing` the casing from the inlet is caused to ow iihelegulator: and I upwardly in close proximity to the side wall of the Figure 14 iS u graph Showing the Performance valve and y to enter the gas outlet without re- Curves of thea regulator when the latter is used 40 sisi-,ance which vwould tend to cause a decrease in' Withthe valves of Figures 8. 9,:10. 11, 12 and 13. 4o

outlet pressure vof' the gas during anfincrease in The Izegulaiol Which fi'ms'the Subieci'f matter the rate of ow of the gag K of the invention is adaptedior use in a system Another object ofthe invention is to provide a 101' Supplying geS' from a gas main to diierent pressure regulator which is generally of new and household 01' Industriel gee burning appliances.

improved construction and inw which the valve It comprises an elongated, horizontally extending 45 and lever are so constructed and arranged that casing I5 and operates to reduce or cut down the the regulator may if desired and by the substipressure of the enses it flows from the gas main tution or one valve for another be made to cause and to maintain substantial uniformity of presan increase in the outlet pressure of the gas as sure of the gas flowing to the different appliances the volume or rate of ow increases through the regardleSS of the Tete of 110W 0f the gas.- The 50 system with which the regulator is associated. casing` I5 is preferably formed of cast metal and A further object of the invention is Vto provide embodies an upper part i6 and a lowerfmpart 11. a pressure regulator of the type and character The lower part of the casing comprises a bottom under consideration in which the valve has the `wall Ha, a. pair of side walls Hb, a top wall llc, advantage of greater simplicity, greater eectivea cross wall Hd and an end wall lle. The top 55 jects outwardly from and is formed integrally` of the lower screw 31.

wall IIcis provided in the central portion thereof with a circular opening I 8. The -cross wall is located adjacent to the end wall I'Ie and with the other walls of the lower part of the casing denes a gas chamber i9 at one side thereof and a relief chamber 29 at its other side. 'Ihe end of the lower part I'i of the casing that is opposite to the end wall plate 2l. 'I'he latter is removably secured in place by means of bolts 22 which extend through the` margin thereof and nt within internally threaded holes in a flange 23. The latter prowith the bottom, side and top\walls part of the casing. A gasket 24 is interposed between thefflange and the margin of the plate for sealing purposes. When the plate 2| is removed access may be had to the gas chamber I9. The end of the Ilower part of the casing which has the plate .2i embodies an inlet 25 for gas and a gas outlet 25. The inlet 25 is in the form of a tubular partf2'l which is formed integrally with and vdepends from the bottom wall I'Ia and embodies an internal screw thread28 for connection to a gas delivery pipe 28a. The latter is' in the nature of abranchfrom the gasmain and serves to supply gas via the inlet 25 to the gas chamber I9. The outlet 26 is in the form of a tubular part 29 whlchls formed integrally with and projects upwardly from the top wall I'Ic of the lower part of the casing. The part 29 is located directly above the inlet forming part 2'I and embodies an internal screw thread'30 for connection to a service pipe 39a. The latter includes the usual meter (not shown) and serves to conduct gas from -the casing of the regulator to the diierent gas burning vappliances which are supplied with gas by the system in which the regulator is employed. 'I'he upper part I6 of the casing is located above the opening I8 in the top wall IIc and is connected removably to the lower part of the casing by means of bolts 3|. The latter extend through an outwardly extending ange 32 on the upper part of the casing and iit within integrally vthreaded holes' or sockets in the vportion of the top wall I'Ic of the lower part 'of the casing that defines the circular opening I8. i

"In addition to the casing I5, the regulator comprises a circular diaphragm :i3-.and a substantially ,horizontal lever 34. The diaphragm extends across the circular opening I8 and has lthe marginal part thereof clamped between the flange 32 and the subjacent portion of the top wall I 'Ic of the lower part of the casing. The lower face of the diaphragm is exposed to the gas that passes into the chamber I9 through the inlet 25 and hence the diaphragm responds to variations in pressure of the gas in the chamber.

The upper face of the diaphragm is subjected to theaction oi a spring 35 which extends between a cast metal plate 38 and a holl w` adjusting The plate 36 fits against the upper face of the diaphragm and is held in place by a screw 38. This screw extends through the center of the diaphragm and is 39 which ts against the lower face of the dia-f phragm. The adjusting 'screw 31 extends upper part nut 49. By adjusting the'position of the screw 31 the tension o'f the spring 35 may be varied for regulator setting purposes. A cap 5I is removably secured by a screw thread to the central portion of the upper part I 6 of the casing and serves' as a closure for and to 'protect the lock I'Ib is closed by means of a' anchored to a plate nut 59 and the upper end of the adjusting screw. The lever 39 is disposed in the gas chamber I9 of the lower part of the casing I5 and extends between the gas inlet 25 andthe central portion of the plate 39 on the under or bottom side of the diaphragm 33. It is preferably in the form of a. die casting of metalhaving high tensile strength and is of materially less thicknessthan height as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. A pin 42 serves as a fulcrum for the lever. This pin extends through a horizontallyextending cylindrical bearing member 93 on the central portion of the lever and the ends thereof fit within oppositely facing sockets -44 in the side walls IIb of the lower part'of the casing. One -of the sockets 94 is open at its outer end so that the pin may be removed from the casing during installation or removal of the lever with respect to the casing. An externally threaded plug 45 fits in the socket with the open outer end and serves when screwed into place to hold the pin drical bearing member 43 and serve to strengthen or reinforce the lever. The end of the lever that is disposed adjacent to the plate 39 is operatively connected to the diaphragm 33 by means of a stirrup 5l. The latter is connected to, and extends downwardly from, the central part ofthe plate 39 and operates to swing the lever vertically i n response to movement of the diaphragm. The end of the lever that is remotely positioned `with respect to the plate 39 and carries the cylindrical bearing member 63, supports a valve 58. This valve coacts with a valve seat G9 and is adapted in response to swinging of the lever 39 by the diaphragm to control the flow ci' gas into the gas chamber I9. When the pressure of the gas in the chamber I9 increases beyond -a certain point the diaphragm 33 is forced upwardly. This upward movement of the diaphragm is in turn imparted to the lever 89 and serves to shift the valve into its closed position inorder to cut oi or reduce the iniiow of gas into the chamber I9 and thus maintain uniformity of pressure as far as the gas passing through the outlet 26 is concerned. When the pressure in the gas chamber I9 decreases, the diaphragm 33 moves downwardly and causes the lever 36 to` swing so as to shift the valve 48 into its open position. Opening of the valve results in a greater ow of gas into the chamber I9 and stabilization or uniformity of pressure. 'I'he valve seat 49 is located directly above the gas inlet V25 and is secured to the bottom wall Ila of the lower part of the casing'by a screw thread connection 50. It is provided with a tapered upper part 5I and embodies a central passage 52 through which the gas passes from the inlet 25 to the gas chamber I9. A polygonal flange 53 is formed on the central portion of the valve seat so that the seat may be turned by wrench or similar turning tool in connected relation with the bottom wall of the casing part I'I. A gasket 54 .serves to prevent leakage of gas around the valve seat. This gasket is mounted on the central portion of the valve seat and is clamped between the polygonal flange 53 and the subjacent portion of the bottom wall of the lower ypart 11a of the casing. When it is desired to ob` tain access to the valve seat the plate 2l is re-l kmoved by withdrawingv the bolts `22A from the flange .23.

'a disk 55 of hard leather or any other suitalolel composition sealing material is disposed in this ports the 51. in the valve.

' sidewise toa limited el urges the valve The valve 45 means of a pin-5j.

pocket as shown in Figures 6 and 'lof the drawings.v The disk 56 is held in place in the pocketl in any suitable manner and is adapted to fit against the e in order to close the central passage 52 'and cut oi! .the flow of gas from the inlet 25 to the gas chamber I9. The end'of the lever 34 that supvalve 45 extends into a diametric slot This slot, as shown in the drawings, .extends through the top and central portions of the'valve and is slightly thicker than the the valve to move or tilt ent for valve seating purposes. A vertically extendingstud 55 is disposed in the bottom portion of the slot 51. .The lower end of this stud projects into the circular pocket 5l and embodies a circular head 5 9. The latter serves as an anchor for the stud and is held in the upper portion vof the pocket by means of the disk 55 ofsealing material. The upper end of the stud is hemispherical and fits in a notch 50.

lever so as to permit in the bottom face of the portion of the lever 34.

which is disposed in the slot 51. This notch together with the stud forms a joint or 'a connection between the valve and the lever whereby the valve is permitted to move universally to a limited extent relatively to the lever. The stud 55 is preferably of such length that the contiguous portion of th 4lever is positioned sufilciently far from the bottom of the slot -51 so that the valve v,may tilt lengthwise of the lever to the proper extent to seat the disk.55 against the tapered part52 of the valve seat when the lever is swung by the diaphragm into a valve closing position. is supported from the lever by a The latter extends across the top portion of the slot 51 and is mounted in oppositely facing holes 52 in the upper portion of the valve. The central portion of the pin, that is, theportion in the slot central portion of a strip 53 of spring wire. The spring wire lever and is bent downwardly at one end so as The latter extends of the lever 34. A hole 55 is formed in the lever so that it intersects the hole 55 and permits the central portion of theanchorpiece 54 to be deilected by way of a punching tool or similar device (not shown). The central portion of the spring wire strip 53 bearsagainst the pin v5|and is under such spring tension as the result. ofthe bend which eforms the anchor piece 54 that it drawingsv there. is suilicient clearance between the pin 5I and the top face of the subjacent'portion of the lever to permit the valve to be forced downwardly against the force' of the spring in order to permit of 'assembly and removal of the valve with respect to the lever. The free end of It extends between the gas tapered part 5|' of the valve seat 49.

lever is extremely thin and fits in a diametric 51 loverlies the portion of the lever above thestud 58 and rests on the strip extendslongitudinally of the l 'arrangement shown isthat the cost of manufacture is reduced to a minimum. yIn order to control valve 451s shaped Vso that it embodies a rounded I8 upwardly and holds the stud 55 in the notch55. As shown in Figure 1 of 'the-4 3 I the spring wire strip 53 extends downwardly 'and isv provided with an upturned hook part 51. This hook part is adapted to facilitate mounting of the valve on the lever when the lever is in the gas chamber I9.

valve on the lever When' the valve is released the spring wire strip 53 springs or forces it upwardly and snaps the `stud into place in the notch 50. When it is de- 15 sired to remove the valve from the lever the plate- 2l isrrst removed and then the valve is moved Y downwardly against the force of the spring wire strip and pulled away from the lever. The spring wire strip 53 is held against transverse displace- 2o ment-with respect to the lever by means of a pair of laterally spaced webs 55. These webs extend upwardly from and are formed as an integral 4part of the top face of the lever. They lap the sides of the spring wire strip and are positioned v2:,

directly above the cylindrical bearing, member 43 for the pin 42. During tilting of the valve 45 with respect to the lever in connection -with clos- ;ing of the disk 55 against the tapered part of the.

valve seat 45 the pin 5| rides on top of the cen- 30 tral portion of the spring wire strip 53. The outerv or free end of the spring wire strip 53 is. preferably of' such length that the hook part 51 is readily accessible when the plate 2l'is removed' from the casing. Asshown in the drawings the 35 central portion of the plate 2l is bulged slightly outwardly and the hook part is located inthe concavity on the inner face of the plate. By arranging the hook part in this manner it may be readily manipulated during mounting or removal of the valve with respect to the lever. As shown in the drawings the valve I5 is coaxially disposed with respect to the gas outlet 25. By reason of the fact that the valve supporting endof the slot in the valve there is but a minimum lever surface exposed. to the flow of gas passing from the inlet 25 to the gas outlet 25 and consequently resistance to iiow of the gas is reduced to a minimum. This ,feature is of extreme importance in connection with'a regulator of this character wherein efciency in operation and uniformity of pressure over wide ranges of capacity are essential factors. A feature of arranging the valve supporting sprLpg wire strip 53 as shown and described is that the valve may be removed with extreme ease for replacement, inspecton, or cleaning. Another feature of the-specific spring o0 n the flow of gas from the ln1et25 to the gas outlet 26 so as to obtain maxi- 'mum',emciency and substantially perfect performance 'of the regulator, the lower end of the *65 or smoothly curved surface 10 between its bottom and 'side faces. andthedisk 55 is setiinto the pocket 55 so that the bottom face thereof is flush 'with the bottom face of the valve. The curve of this surface is a quadrantal one and as a Iresult the gas flowing into the chamber against the disk 55 instead of striking against a vsharp edge which would tend to direct it outwardly from the valve flows around the surface and ows upwardly along the side surface of the valve as shown in 75 gas outlet 26 and consequently the gas flowing upwards around the side face of the valve passes directly into the service pipe 30a. This is an imy sistance that the pressure is no tendency for an'increase in velocityl or rate portant feature as far as the performance and emciency of the regulator is concerned for two reasons. The first reason is that the gas passes through the regulator casing with a minimum amount of pressure loss due to friction and as a result there is no diminution in the outlet pressure of the ga-s as the rate of ilow increases. Ii the gas instead of owing upwardly directly into the gas outlet 26 were caused to iiow laterally or horizontally into the casing prior -to outow through the outlet it would 'encounter such rewithin the casing would tend to increase during an increase in flow of the gas through the regulator casing. As a result of such increase in pressure of the gas in the casing the diaphragm would operate the lever so as to reduce the size of the orifice between the valve and the valve seat and hence there would be a tendency forthe outlet pressure of the gas to decrease during an increase in the rate of flow of'the gas through the system with which the regulator is associated. By directing the gas in an annular stream around the side wall of the valve and so that it passes directly into thexpipe with a minimum amount of pressure loss, there the outlet pressure of the gas rate of flow of gas increases. The second reasonwhy itis of prime importance ingconnection with the eiiiciency and performance of the regulator to direct the gas in an annular stream so that it flows and passes directly into the outlet opening ofthe casing as shown in Figured of the drawings, is that the gas in owing through the casing produces a jet action in the casing. This jet action increases to decrease as the -in vmagnitude as the. velocity or rate of flow through the casing increases and results in\ a diminution of the pressure in the casing. As-the result of this diminution in the pressure of the gas in the casing as the velocity or rate of flow oi' gas through the system increases the action of the diaphragm is such that the ated to provide an increase in ow of gas from the gas inlet and consequently there is an increase in the outlet pressure of the gas as the Velocity or rate of ow of the gas increases.

.This is of importance as far as the performance of the regulator is concerned because in some instances it is essential'ffor proper operation to increase the outlet pressure of the gas at the outlet .opening as the velocity of the gas increases in order to compensate forthe increased pipe line.- and meter pressure loss during of flow of the gas through the -system in which which constitutes Figure 14 ofthe drawing and' shows the performance curves of a regulator with a one inch outlet opening for the gas,v when tested with the dierent l0. 11. 12 and 13.

valves shown in Figures 8, 9, In this graph the horizontal vis attributable to valve is oper-V than the regulator isv used or associated. The amount of jet; action t units represent cubic feet of gas per hour andthe vertical units represent outlet pressure as expressed in inches of water head. 'I'he valve shown in Figure 8 is shown as having a diameter of i5 of an inch and a height of 111g inches. 'Ihe curve designated A on formance curve of the regulator when used with this valve. It is to be noted that this curve is substantially straight and let pressure of the gas lis substantially uniform throughout a wide range of capacity. The reason why the outlet pressure of the gas is substan ially uniform throughout a wide range of capacity when the regulator is used'with the valve shown in Figure 8 is that the valve is but slightly smaller in diameter than the gas outlet opening and hence the gas flows directly into the outlet opening with but little if any jet action. With no jet action in the casing and no restriction to the flow of gas the outlet pressure of the gas is substantially the same throughout the entire range and capacity of the regulator. The valve of Figure 9 is shown as but 14/16 of an inch in diameter and 111g inches in height. When this valve is used in the regulator, the regulator has the performance indicates that the outthe graph is the per' into the outlet opening curve B. It is to be noted from this curve that when the regulator is equipped with the valve of Figure 9 the outlet pressure of the gas increases gradually as the volume -or rate of flow of the gas increases. The gradual increase in outlet pressurerof the gas as the ow of gas increases the` fact that the annular stream of gas passing upwardly around the side face of the valve into the gas outlet opening is smaller in diameter than the outlet opening and produces within the casing a jet or jet action within the casing. This action, as previously pointed out, results in a decrease in the pressure ofthe gas in the regulator casing as ow of gas through the casing increases and ycauses by the action of the diaphragm such a rlow of the gas as to increase the outlet pressure. The lvalve of Figure 10 is shown as having a diameter if of an inch and a height of 111g inches. When this valve is used in the regulator the regulator has l the performance curve C. This curve shows that there is a material increase in` outlet pressure of the gas as the volume of gas passing through the system increases. It is to be noted by comparing the performance `curve C with the curve B 4that the increase in outlet pressure as s the rate of ow increases is greaterl when-the regulator is equipped with the valve when it is equipped` with the valve of Figure 9. This is attributable to the fact that the valve of Figure 10 is of slightly smaller diameter than the valve of Figure 9 and-as a result the jet action of the gas flowing into the is correspondingly greater. 'I'he valve of Figure 11 isshown as having a diameter of lof an inch and a height of 1116 inches. The curve D of the graph is the performance curve of the regulator when used with this valve. It is to be noted from thecurve D that the regulator when equipped` with thevalve of Figure l1 operates materially to increase the outlet pressure of the gas as the Volume of the gas increases. The valve of Figure 11 because of its pronounced jet action in the regulator casing is of special utility when the regulator is used in a System wherein there is great `line .and meter loss of the gas during an increase in therateof flow ofthe gas through the system. The Figure l2 valve differs from the valves shown in Figures 3, 8, 9. 10 andfllin of Figure 10 50. performance outlet opening tov y t 30 valve I *i 9,026,793- L that it is frusta-conical. t is at on the 'bottom land has a smoothly rounded or Ycurved surface 1I. The curve of the latter is a quadrantal one like the curves of the smoothly rounded surfaces 5 of the cylindrical valves shown in the drawings and operates to cause the gas to flow upwardly around the'sidewall of the valve.` By

reason of the fact that the side wall'of the valve is frusto-conical the 'gas flows upwardly and inwardly over the side wall ofithe valve and enters the outlet opening of the casing of the regulator in the form of a jet. The curve E of the graph is the performance curve of the regulator when the latter is used with the Figure 12 valve.

The Figure 13 valve is in the form'of a conoid the base of which is nat and has a smoothly curved peripher'al surface I2 whereby the gas which strikesv against the bottom face is caused to flow upwardly along the side wall of the valve. By reason of the fact that the valve is in the form of a conoid the gas is jetted into the central part of the outlet opening and the valve in this respect operates similarly tothe Figure 12 valve. `The curve F of the graph is the perfomance curve of the regulator when the latter is equipped with the Figure 13 valve.

Assuming that the valve 48 is open, the operation of the regulator is as follows: Gas enters the casing I1 via the central passage 52 -in the seat 49 and strikes against the bottom face of the disk 56. From this disk the gas ows outwardly until it .encounters the smoothly curved surface 10 whichoperates to cause the :gas to` flow upwardly around it and to .travelupwards along theside face of the valve to the 'gas outlet 26. When the appliances whichare supplied with gas by the service pipe 30a are operated at greater capacity and as a result the ow of gas through the service Jpipe lla increases the diaphragm 33 in the regulator casing operates because of the resultant decrease in pressure of the gas in the vchamber I9 t open the valve 48 so as to permit 'of an increase in flow of the gas from the branch pipe 28a to the service pipe. This increase in`V ow or volume of the gas increases the pressure in the service pipe 30a. When the appliances receiving gas from the service pipe 30a are cut vdown so as to decrease the consumption of gaspressure builds up in the chamber I9 and causes 5o the diaphragm 33 through the medium of the lever 34 to shift the valve so as to decrease the oriiice between the valve and the valve seat and thus reduce the inflow of gas through the Jcasing f and stabilize the outlet pressure. Because of the speciiic shape and construction of the valve 48 `and the fact that the gas ows into the gas outlet directly and with a minimum amount o f pressure loss there is no diminution in the outlet pressure of the gas as the rate of. ilow of gas through the system increases. Because of the manner in which the gas ows into the outlety opening 26 and the resultant jet action in the regulator casing the regulator 'has a tendency vto ca use an increase in outlet pressure of the gas as the rate offlow of gas increases through the A service pipe 30a. When it is desired to increase the outlet pressure of the gas as the -volum'e or rate of ow of the gas increases itis only necessary to remove the valve 48 and substitute for, 7o it a valve of .smaller diameter or one having a remove the valve 48 for replacement or repair purposes it is only necessary as previously pointed the plate 2| from thecasing the valve against the action 'out to 'disconnectl and then depress vshown is not only extremely 'intothe gas outlet opening of the regulator Patent is: i side surface suchas-the `valve of Figure 12. To

described, the combinationwith a casing S f Y or force of the'spring wirestrip 63 and pull it from the outer end of the lever 34. When it is desired to have the regulator controlthe gas so that the pressure thereof is substantially u niform regardless of the volume or rate of ilow of 5 the gas through the regulator, a valve such as that shown in Figure 8 is employed. If it is desired to have the regulator control the gas so that the koutlet pressure tends to increase as the volume or rate of ow increases a valve like any 10 one of those shown in Figures 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 may be employed.

In order to prevent the escape of gas in the event that excessive pressure is developed in the gas chamber I9 as the result of-foreign par- 15 ticles preventing closing of the valve 48, a relief tube 14 is provided. This tube extends through the cross wall IId of the lower casing part I1 and is arranged so that one end thereof projects downwardly in a cup 15 which is par- 20 tially filled with mercury and communicates with the relief chamber 20. When excessive pressure develops in the gas chamber I1 the gas displaces the mercury in the cup and escapes via the relief chamber 20 to a vent opening 16. The service regulator herein described an 4 eillcient in operation but may be manufactured t a low and reasoneable cost due to the simplicity of the valve assembly. The valve is characterized by the fact` $10 that it causes the gas as `it issues or flows from the orice between it and the valve seat to flow upwardly along the side wall and to\pass directly casing without the formation of eddy currents and 35 without any of the gas being directed into the chamber I9 between the diaphragm 33. The valve is further characterized by the fact that it lends itself to ready replacement and by tiie shaping thereof the regulator may be controlled or set so as to cause the outlet pressure of the gas to increase asl the volume or rate of now of the gas increases through the system with which the regulator is used. The lever 34 is characterized by the fact that because of its thinness in: construction at the point where it Vsupports the' valve there is but a minimum of surface exposed to retard or resist ow of the gas around the side wall of the valve. Another feature of the valve assembly resides in the fact that the valve is sup-x 50 ported for free, limited universal movement and the lever. bears on the stud 58 at a point near the bottom face of the valve with the result that the regulator has an extremely eflicient lock-up" performance, that is. the valve thereof completely closes when there is no flow of gas through the system without an undue increase in pressure in the regulator casing. As shown inthe graph which constitutes Figure 14 of the draw. ings there is but a very small increase in pres-f sure when the volume of gas through thesystem or regulator drops to zero.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted tothe details set forth, since these may be modied within the scope of the .appended claims, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. f i t Having thus described the invention, what Il claim as new and desire to secure by Letters 1. In a pressure regulator of the character i inione portion thereof :a diaphragm adapted to fluctuate in response tochanges in pressure with-` in the casing, and having iin. another portion-"l l response to thereof an inlet for end thereof and -the inner end of the inlet, a valve the flow of gas into the casing disposed between gas under pressure and a gas outlet directly opposite to the inlet, of means Vforming a valve seat around the innerA end of -the inlet, a valve for controlling the ow of gas into the casing disposed between the inlet and loutlet and in spaced relation with respect vto the interior surfaces of the casing and having a seat engaging face disposed directly opposite -to the valve seat and adapted to have th'e gas strike thereagainst and also having a substantially continuous side face centrally positioned with respect .to the gas outlet and of less width than the latter and a smoothly curved or rounded surface between the two faces whereby when the valve is open the gas after striking against the rst mentioned face is caused to ow in a thin tubular stream around the sideface of the valve and then to pass directly into the outlet with substantially no pressure loss and in such manner as to create adjacent to the inner end of the outlet a jet actionwhich increases in magnitude as the rate of flow of gas into the outlet increases and eiects a corresponding dimi nution or decrease of pressure of the gas in the casing, and a lever for moving the valve in fluctuation of the diaphragm to and from the valve seat in order to regulate or conytrol the pressure of the gas owing out of the casing via the outlet, fulcrumed centrally in the casing and vhaving the valve connected to one its other end connected to the diaphragm so that it operates to open the valve when the diaphragm fiuctuates in one direction as the result of a decrease in pressure within the casing 2. In a pressure regulator ofthe character described, the`combination with a casing having in one portion thereof a diaphragm adapted to fluctuate in response to changes in pressure within the casing, and having in another portion circular gas outlet directly opposite to the inlet, of means forming an annular valve seat around the inlet and outlet and in spaced relation with respect to the interior faces of the casing and having a substantially hat, circular face disposed directly opposite to the valve seat and adapted to have the gas strike thereagainst, and also having an annular side face coaxially positioned with respect to the gas outlet and oi' gas under pressure and a.v

for controlling 3. In a pressure regulator of the character described, the combination with a casing having in one portion thereof a diaphragm adapted to fluctuate in response to changes in pressure within the casing and having in anotherportion thereof an inlet for gas under pressureg and a circular gas outlet directly opposite to the inlet, of means forming a valve seat around the inner end oi the inlet, a valve for controlling the flow of gas into the casing disposed between the inlet and outlet and in spaced relation with respectto the interior faces of the casing and having a substantially fiat, circular face disposed directly opposite to the-valve seat and adapted to have the gas strike thereagainst, and also having a cylindrical side face coaxially arranged with respect to the gas outlet and a quadrantally curved surface between the two faces whereby when the valve is open the gas after striking against the at face is caused to ow in a thin moving the valve in response to fluctuation of the pressure within the casing.

4. In a pressure regulator of the character cle-4 s'cribqe, the combination with a casing having in one portion thereof a diaphragm adapted to -fluctuate in. response to changes in pressure withvalve being of smaller thereof than the outlet creasesand-eects a corresponding diminution faceof the valve and outlet with substantially no pressure loss and in luctuates in one direction as the result of a decrease in pressure Within the casing.

5. In a pressure regulator of the character described, the combination with a casing having in trally with respect to the inlet and the outlet and in the form of a conoid,v said valve having the base thereof substantially flat and positioned opposite to the valve seat so that the gas is adapted to strike thereagainst, and embodying a smoothly curved or rounded surface between the base and its side face whereby the gas after entering the casing and striking against the base is caused to flow in a thin stream around the side to pass directly into the such manner as to create adjacent to the inner end of the casing outlet a jet action which increases in magnitude as vthe rate of flow of the gas into the outlet increases and effects a corresponding diminution ory decrease in the pressure of the gas in the casing, and a lever for moving regulate the pressure tofluctuation of the diathe valve-seat in order to of the gas flowing out of th`e casing via the outlet, fulcrumed centrally in the casing and having the valve connected to one end thereof and its other end connected to the diaphragm so that it operates to open the valve when the diaphragm fluctuates in one direction as the result of a decrease in pressure Within the casing.

6. In a pressure regulator of the character described, the combination with a casing having in another of its portions an inlet for gas under pressure and a gas outlet opposite the inlet, of means forming a valve seat around the inner end of the inlet, a valve for controlling the ow of gas into the casing disposed between the inlet andthe the valve in response phragm to and from outlet and in spaced relation with respect to the interior faces of said other portion of the casing and having a substantially flat face disposed minimum resistance to between the inner portion of the opposed face `of said other end of the lever opera- 4 directly opposite to the valve seat and adapted to have the gas strike thereagainst and also having an annular substantially continuous side face substantially centrally positioned with respect to the gas outlet and a smoothly curved or rounded surface between the two faces whereby when the valve is open the gas after striking against the flat face is caused to flow in a thin tubular stream round the side face and then to pass directly into the outlet with substantially no pressure loss, said valve also having a diametric slot Vin the portion thereof that is remote from the at face, and a. lever for moving the valve in response to iiuctuation ofthe diaphragm to and from the valve seat in order to regulate the pressure of the gas fiowing out of the casing via the outlet, fulcrumed centrally in the casing and having one end thereof connected operatively to the diaphragm and its other` end extending into the slot in the valve and connected to the valve by a movable joint and of such thinness as to offer a the thin tubular stream of gas around the side face of the valve.

'7. In a pressure regulator of the character described, the combination with a casing having a diaphragm in one portion thereof and having in another of its portions an inlet for gas under pressure and a gas outlet opposite to the inlet, a valve for controlling the flow of gas into the casing disposed between the inlet and outlet and having a slot in the portion thereof nearest the outlet and a member extending across the outer portion of said slot, a lever for actuating the valve in response to fluctuation of the diaphragm fulcrumed centrally in the casing and having one end thereof connected operatively to the diaphragm and its other end extending into the slot in the valve, a stud and notch connection slot and the tive to permit the valve to move relatively to the lever, and spring means carried by said other end of the lever and applied to the cross member in such manner that the valve is urged toward said other end of the lever and the stud and notch of 5 the aforesaid connection are thus yieldingly held in abutting relation. y

GARNET W. MCKEE. f, 

